ANGLESEY breeders Rob and Llinos Davies carved a niche in Welsh Cob history when landing a unique double with wonder horse Gwenllan Deio.

They were at the Glanusk Stallion Show at the weekend to watch their eight-year-old bay cob win the supreme championship.

Deio’s success came on the heels of a similar triumph at the Lampeter Stallion Show a fortnight earlier.

It is the first time in the history of the Welsh breeds a single horse has claimed both titles.

Yet until the Lampeter Show Deio had never been shown in competition.

Now the cob world lies at his high-stepping hooves.

Welsh breeds historian Dr Wynne Davies said: “What makes him so special is that people had never seen him in the show ring before.

“He is a bit of a wonder horse. He was the talk of the Lampeter show and enthusiasts who flocked to see him at Glanusk certainly weren’t disappointed.”

Rob Davies, a ministry vet based at Caernarfon, bought Deio as a foal from Teifion and Morfudd Davies, of the Gwenllan stud near Newcastle Emlyn.

He had previously spotted the potential of his sire Gwenllan Sam, son of Royal Welsh winner Gwenllan Sali, and his dam, Gwenllan Blodwen.

“I told the owners that if they ever got together I’d be interested in their progeny – and out popped Deio,” said Mr Davies, of the Tysilio stud, Pentraeth, Anglesey.

Mr Davies and wife Llinos, who runs a holistic and beauty therapy salon in Llangefni, kept Deio away from competition for almost eight years.

Instead he was put to stud and last year his filly foal, Cascob Powys Princess, fetched a record #11,000 at the Welsh Pony & Cob Society autumn sales.

“I think that led to a bit of anticipation as to how Deio would perform in the show ring,” said Mr Davies.

“I kept him away from competition until he was right. He needed time to mature.”

After beating 132 other stallions at Lampeter, Deio lived up to his billing by winning the novice stallion at Glanusk on Saturday before trouncing more established opposition for the supreme championship sash.

Mr Davies was so delighted he took over Deio’s handling for a celebratory dash around the show ring.

Llinos added: “Until they get in the ring you never really know how they will perform.

“But I was aghast when I saw how Deio moved – we knew he was a good mover but he was something else when he stepped in the ring. He just loved it.”

According to Mr Davies, Deio has an “extravagent action”, with high-stepping knees and hocks.

He attributes much of Deio’s success to his handling and preparation by Alun Hughes, of the Rhydeilian Stud, Llanfair PG, described in cob circles as a “showman par excellence”.

Alun scored his own double success on Monday by following up the Glanusk win with victory at the Ynys Mon Light Horse and Pony Show (see panel).

Carmarthenshire cob observer Mili Peel said Deio is a “star in the making” who is causing a stir in the showing world.

But while the stallion is certain to be entered into other major shows, including the Royal Welsh, Mr Davies is keeping his counsel.

He added: “It’s not just about the winning, what gives me most satisfaction is showing a good animal to others.”